Fed: Trade to divide ALP conference

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2000
Fed: Trade to divide ALP conference

Union leader DOUG CAMERON says an attempt to reverse Labor's commitment to free trade
will be defeated at today's national ALP conference in Hobart.

He says ALP delegates are too scared of embarrassing Opposition Leader KIM BEAZLEY.

Mr CAMERON, who's the national secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union,
is trying to get the ALP to drop its support for free trade.

Mr CAMERON wants Labor to support a fair trade policy which would impose sanctions
and higher tariffs on nations with low wages, child labour and appalling working conditions.

But he concedes politics is likely to defeat him on the conference floor.

Mr cameron insists there's growing support for his policy, and has vowed to continue
the fight regardless of the conference decision.

He's accused Labor leaders of being locked into old ideas on free trade, and of ignoring
a growing international push to improving working conditions.

But Opposition Leader KIM BEAZLEY says instead of erecting barriers to trade, Australia
should by trying to remove barriers in other countries.

AAP RTV ss/dmc/rt |

KEYWORD: ALP TRADE (HOBART)

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